Lucky Foods for the New YearAll around the world, people enjoy special delicacies to bring good fortune for the year ahead — find out what they'll be eating in places such as Italy, Japan, Sweden, China and Germany.

Snow DaySnowed in by the recent blizzards? Cheer yourself up with a look at this fun slide show from the New Yorker, featuring a selection of classic wintery cartoons from their archive.

Elegantly Old SchoolThere's a nostalgia movement afoot — more and more people are looking for older, more refined ways of living in the modern world. NPR looks at three recent books on the topic.

Ghost BoxHaven't had a chance to check them out yet, but I'm really intrigued. Ghost Box is a record label for a group of artists who find inspiration in folklore, vintage electronics, library music, and haunted television soundtracks. Weekend listening for sure. Via things magazine.

2010 National Film Registry PicksSince 1988 the National Film Preservation Board in the US has selected films to preserve for posterity. In order to qualify, titles must be at least 10 years old and must have had some form of theatrical release. Here's the 25 films chosen this year, bringing the total number up to 550 so far.

The Best Apps of 2010Brain Pickings chooses the 10 most interesting, innovative and just plain useful apps launched in 2010.Karl Lagerfeld's VW CommercialGoodness — Karl Lagerfeld in a French Volkswagen commercial! Needless to say, it's full of Karl attitude.

The Big CheeseLovely article on Saveur about the classic Swiss fondue — with recipes, too.